Topic: How would you pack a sidecover for transport ??

[750goes]

Well I just received my new ebay purchase this morning from the US of A.

I was thrilled to get it, and really couldn't wait to open it and see the result of my hard earned dollars being used to liven up my project by giving it something original to wear, maybe not the final colour, but at least I can look at it until I need to paint it, and don't have to repair it.

At the same time I purchased four blinkers from the ebay seller, and they were sent together.

Suffice to say the postage outweighed the purchase price.

I attach two pictures of the opened cardboard wrapping, and this is what I found


The item was wrapped with the blinkers in ONE layer of loose bubblewrap (smallest size), and put in a cardboard box cut down and taped up. I have left an email message waiting for a reply.

Do you think this ebay seller has provided adequate packaging for an overseas jaunt, considering it is a plastic sidecover and also wrapped with four heavyweight blinkers??

your thoughts appreciated.....

[KB02]

In my professional opinion, as the former shipping manager of a small company, I would say: No.

I would have wrapped the blinkers AND the side cover in several layers of bubble wrap, and may even have put a peice of loose cardboard in between the two.

I say see what the responce you get is and go from there.

[Raul CB750K1]

Holy #$%*! I feel your pain, Ive had things simply put inside a box with no padding at all, like a pair of carburettors. Some people is simply stupid they believe the parcel employees will handle the boxes as they do.

I would ask for a full refund of the sidecover price. I learned my leason long ago, and everytime I buy something delicate I always ask the seller to use -verbatim- "a mile of bubble wrap".


Raul


P.S. i have to say most of what I buy is very very very well packaged.

[KB02]

Holy #$%*! I feel your pain, Ive had things simply put inside a box with no padding at all, like a pair of carburettors. Some people is simply stupid they believe the parcel employees will handle the boxes as they do.

One neat thin I learned when I worked in that shipping department is that most carriers advise that packages be packed in a way that they will survive a 4 foot drop to a concrete floor (symbolizing it falling off the converyor belt). Most people don't know that.

[Boomologist]

First, I would immediately contact the company that delivered the item and file a claim. The seller will simply say "It isn't my problem after it leaves my place of business".

I ship extremely delicate mineral specimens all over the world and have never had a single one damaged. I ship them in paint cans full of crumpled news paper.

[dusterdude]

yea,thats going to be between you and the shipping company

[turtle]

As a former postal employee, I would advise you to take it with the original wrapping to the post office. You may be able to launch an enquiry but I am sure the outcome will be that the packaging was woefully inadequate. Then you  have some ammunition to take back to the seller and to eBay. IMO he is responsible. I have had lots of things from eBay from the US including a headlight (complete with fork ear brackets and glass lens), 2 pairs of mirrors, a taillight lens from DSS, a sidecover and various other bits and pieces and all have arrived intact.

BTW, did the rings get to you OK?

[Bob Wessner]

If you used a credit card for payment, you might enlist their help as well.

[BobbyR]

As an ebay seller that shipped turntables, I needed to protectthe Dustcovers which are plastic and get stiff with age. The trick is to keeping these items from flexing. I would have embedded the sidecover in small Styrofoam peanuts in a double box. A small box since the Postal Workers only throw those underhand. I think you have a claim, as that is certainly high impact or stress damage.

[cb650]

I envision the old Samsonite commercial with the gorilla throwing the case around.



               Terry

[Orcinus]

It's not a lot of consolation, but at least it wasn't the increasingly rare LEFT cover...  Now that would have been a disaster.

[Noel]

Man, that's a shame. Good luck getting any money back, IMO. Ebay is a gamble, and that's the losing end of it.

I agree with Bob that the credit card company may be your best bet. It really kind of amazes me how far a credit card company can go on behalf of their customers.

[750goes]

I emailed the seller, he is going to credit my paypal account with the purchase cost of the sidecover... he has not indicated he will cough up for postage... oh well if I get my purchase money back, then I will leave a neutral feedback on ebay...

Turtle, Yes thanks got the rings....in a lot better wrapping than the sidecover dude. Professionallly wrapped and presented..thanks Jane.

 

[Terry in Australia]

Geez that's pretty crappy packing mate, Bill 440cars and Sean Condon have recently sent me some oil/air fittings that are made from solid brass and they used heaps of bubblwrap, being the beaut blokes that they are.

Still if the seller refunded the purchase price of the sidecover that's not bad, and the little bit of shipping money that you lost wouldn't have been much, as the blinkers would have been the heavier items?

Hey I've got some magic glue here, so send that knackered cover to me and I'll fix it for you mate, no worries! Cheers, Terry.

[750goes]

Terry,

A local plastic welder is coming to visit tomorrow, If he can fix it it's only cost me postage....

I think I may make a mould or something and start making a few copies if this one is repairable,

What are your thoughts on making them out of perspex (easily moulded into shape by a heat gun and lots of colours to choose from). A local motor trimmer mate (I hope) is willing to give it a go, he used to recover dashboards in vinyl by vacuum process..maybe stupid, but it may work..

If it works I will post some pictures...

[Terry in Australia]

G'Day Charlie, no worries mate, I hope he can weld it back together ok. Perspex covers? Put me down for a clear set mate, that'd be cool! I've often thought about making a mold and running off some fibreglass or carbon fibre sidecovers, the K series are more sought after than the F1/F2 covers, (only because there were a lot more K's than F's) but I've been busy enough with my cooler kits, so go for it mate, there's certainly a market for them here in Oz. Keep me posted! Cheers, Terry.

[750goes]

Update,

Seller credited me back my purchase price PLUS an extra $10 US for I presume a credit towards the postage..
he mentioned you learn by your mistakes and apologised for the incident..

I'm happy....now to find another sidevcover... anybody want to sell one ? 1976 F1 CB750 left and right covers??

[MartimusPrimus]

I have an extra right side cover for a 77-78 cb750k just needs 2 of the pegs plastic welded back on

[turtle]

If you are unable to get an original, these guys are in SA and do reasonable replicas.
http://www.showandgo.com.au/rep/rep2.htm?rep2_bf.html~mainFrame
I bought one for my son's K7. It's not identical but looks good on the bike. They are fairly expensive but good to deal with.

[750goes]

Turtle,
will send them an email soon, thanks jane

Martimus Primus
K series do not match the F series, but thanks for the thought

[MartimusPrimus]

check www.oldbikebarn.com

[scout18]

david silver sells repros for the f model. If youmake perspex ones I would be up for a set. The issue that I see in making them yourself would be to reproduce the pins as the 77/78 left covers are different than the 75/76s.  No the item was not packaged properly and thank goodness the seller was garcious about it.
Jared